THE 2010 FEDERAL ELECTION

- DFWA INDEXATION CAMPAIGN -

Between late July and the election on 21 August the DFWA will join with other Ex Service Organisations in a campaign aimed at informing the electorate of the views of the major political parties on indexation and other matters relating to military superannuation.

Previous documents and history of this matter is available at the bottom of this page.

As supporting documents relating to the campaign - press releases, template letters to candidates, facts sheets etc - are released, they will be posted on the 2010 FAIR GO ELECTION CAMPAIGN page.

19 August 2010 - UPDATE released

CURRENT ISSUES

RELEASE OF SERVICE RECORDS BY THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  (3 Mar 10)

The Association is following up its serious concern over the current practice of the National Archives making available to the general public the service records of members and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) during the “open access period” as defined in the Archives Act 1983.

The Association understands that the current practice is that any member of the public, upon payment of the prescribed fee, can obtain a copy of the entire service record of any ADF member or ex-member where that record is in the open access period.

A recent case brought to our attention revealed that not only were the details of the ex-member’s service history (such as dates of enlistment and discharge, promotions, service postings and duties performed in such postings) supplied, but also personal details such as confidential performance reports and medical history records.

• This was done without any reference to the ex-serviceman concerned and we believe the release of such personal information to be a gross invasion of the ex-serviceman’s privacy.

Our further understanding is that while the National Archives, under the “open access period” rule, must make available to the public all such personal and private records, it will not reveal the identity of the person who has made application for access to such records, nor does it appear that it has any control over the purpose for which those records will be used.

• It would seem there is a clear imbalance of privacy interests in operation here ?

In the Association’s view some parts of a serviceman’s record should not be open to unrestricted public scrutiny.  We submit that confidential performance reports and medical records are of a private and personal nature, and others such as disciplinary records and course training reports and results could also be similarly regarded.

The Association is following up on this matter at the highest levels and will provide an update when further information is available to us.  As at 24 June 2010 this matter is still being considered.

PERSONAL INSURANCE FOR SERVING ADF MEMBERS

The Association has released a statement on this matter here  (17 Feb 10)

DFWA ASKS WHY TALIBAN GET GOVERNMENT SUPPORT WHILST AUSSIE MILITARY SUPERANNUANTS ARE FORGOTTON (1 Feb 10)

DFWA queries why the Government can find funds to help Taliban intergrate into Afgan society, but not for Aussie Military Superannuants !  Read the DFWA Press Release here.

EX SERVICE ORGANISATIONS : THE MAJOR ISSUES (added 13 Dec 09 .. linked document amended 26 Feb 10)

In December 2009 the DFWA finalised the coordination of a Major Issues Paper that outlines the coordinated and agreed positions of the ESOs on the major issues facing the Ex Service Community.  It has been presented to Government.  Read it here.

INDEXATION OF MILITARY SUPERANNUATION PENSIONS   

The Government announced on 21 August 2009 that it would refuse to provide for ADF families in retirement by adequately indexing their superannuation pensions.  The Matthews Report - conveniently released the day Parliament went into recess - blandly recommends that military superannuation schemes continue to be indexed by the CPI.  The Government has refused to provide ADF superannuants with adequate protection against cost of living increases despite:

• Six parliamentary inquiries either recommending military superannuation pensions be better indexed or reflecting on the current arrangements.

• The Prime Minister Mr Rudd criticising the Coalition for its failure to implement the findings of these inquiries during the last election campaign along with many Labor candidates who offered their strong support and tempted us with EXPECTATIONS that something would be done – their now convenient about face is offensive. Read what they said here.
  

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics openly stating that the CPI simply does not reflect the cost of living.

WHAT IS IT WE SEEK ?

Quite simply, a fairer indexation of your pension that would  ensure that the purchasing power of your pension is maintained   ......  why should you have your standard of living continually deteriorate ? Remember also that:

- you contributed to your superannuation during your working years;

- you also paid taxes during your working years to help pay for welfare; and

- your pension is taxed at the highest marginal rate.

See our Facts Sheet  #1 for more information...at CORE DOCUMENTS below ....

4BC ABC DRIVE TIME INTERVIEW 16 FEBRUARY 2010 - interview with DFWA National President - hear it here

ABC "Q&A" PROGRAM - 15 FEBRUARY 2010 and 17 MAY 2010

On 15 February 2010 Peter Thornton raised the issue on national television - see the program at www.abc.net.au (go to TV/PROGRAMS/Q&A).  Peter's question commences at 43:30 .. use the scroll bar to get straight to it.

Needless to say, the response from the Minister for Finance, Mr Lindsay Tanner, was shallow and inadequate .. read what we have to say about this in our Press Release here (Issued 16 Feb 10)

The full question and response is here.

Peter Thornton's Video dealing with Indexation is here.  Another prepared for the 17 May 2010 program is here.

On 21 February we wrote to Minister Tanner seeking advice regarding the reponse he made during the Q&A Program.  A response from the Minister, if and when received, will be posted here.  (25 Feb 10). 

As of 31 May 2010, no response has been received despite our frequent requests to Minister Tanner's office.

SOME RELATED WEBSITES

The RAAF Association has established a web site as part of its contribution to the debate.   Enter the site here.  (13 May 2010)

The Royal Australian Regiment Association website also deals with Indexation.  Enter the site here (31 May 2010)

Also enter here for another relevant website (MILSUPER).

DFWA works closely with the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers Association (SCOA) sharing information and strategies on the Indexation campaign.  Enter ther site here.

OTHER RECENT DOCUMENTS / INFORMATION

• Coalition policy on indexation (26 Jun 10) 

• Port Macquarie News 2 June 2010 - Article about the local DFWA Lyne Group headed by Bill Lord (8 Jun 10)

• Hansard - House of Representatives debate on the Australian Government Superannuation Schemes 2 June 2010 - includes many references to the Indexation matter, and in particular DFWA involvement (3 Jun 10)

• A short summary of the issues is here (amended 3 Jun 10)

• Press Release: DFWA Responds to Senator Sherry (25 Feb 10) 

• Press Release - The DFWA asks was the Pension Indexation Inquiry prejudiced ?  Our letter to the Prime Minister on the subject.(added 24 February 2010)

• Speech by Senator Johnston to the Senate on 3 February 2010 (added 9 Feb 10)

• Speech by Dennis Jensen MP to the House of Representatives on 25 November 2009 (added 17 Dec 09)

• Letter from Senator Fielding to Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Material and Science  re pension indexation  (added 10 Dec  09) 

• DFWA FLYER DEALING WITH SUPERANNUATION  - copy and distribute as you wish !  page 1 and page 2  (added 18 Nov 09)

• Senator Fielding's speech in the Senate 18 November 2009 - hear it here  or read it here (added 18 Nov 09)

PUBLIC MEETING 9 NOVEMBER 2009 AND SUBSEQUENT MEETING WITH MINISTER TANNER (added 10 Nov 09)

The ACT DFWA along with ACT SCOA held a public meeting on 9 November 2009 at the Ainslie Football Club.  At least 500 people attended and the mood of the meeting was strong, with many calling for a tougher campaign.  There were several members of the media present and ABC TV attended and were there for almost all the meeting.

ABC TV later interviewed Les Bienkiewicz, (DFWA National Sec) and the John Coleman (SCOA Indexation Manager).

Labor Senator Kate Lundy addressed the meeting as did Liberal Senator Gary Humphries. Labor member for Eden Monaro Mike Kelly, who was also invited to the meeting sent along his chief of staff as an observer as did local Labor MPs Annette Ellis and Bob McMullan.  Mike Kelly has arranged to meet us in a few weeks to brief him on the mtg and hopefully to give us some suggestions on where to from here. 

Read about the meeting (Canberra Times article - page 1 - 10 November 2009) - here.

Subsequently, DFWA met with Minister Tanner on 25 November: see a short outcome note here. (added 15 Dec 09)